World Ends Saturday, But Don't Quit Your Job

In case you missed this breaking news, the world will end on Saturday.

That's according to one interpretation of Viking mythology. To be more precise, the old gods will fall and the cosmos will be destroyed before being reborn again, if the Scandinavian warriors of the 8th to 11 thcentury are to be believed.

There's even a countdown clock to the Norse apocalypse at the Viking Tourist Center in York, England, showing the hours, minutes and seconds left to pillage before the world as we know it before it ends with an epic battle.

Here's what you should look out for: a giant serpent named Jormungand will rise from the sea and a wolf called Fenrir will devour the sun. Then the gods and all the races of the nine worlds will take part in a huge battle, Viking Festival spokesperson Jay Commins tells ABC News. You can't miss it.

The legend was prophesied by Viking god Odin. Commins says the myth, known as Ragnarok, passed down the ages through oral storytelling and, later in the 13 th century through poems and prose.

It's been a long wait for Viking heroes, who have been feasting in Valhalla and waiting for the end of the world and the battle to end all battles that's penciled in for this weekend.

And if final proof were needed, think about this. Britain's annual Viking Festival is celebrating the feast of Jolablot Saturday to mark the end of winter and the rebirth of the world in spring. Which sounds uncannily like the Ragnarok legend, points out festival spokesperson Jay Commins.

This weekend 40,000 visitors are descending on the city of York to attend the festival and party like Vikings.

But don't cancel next week's plans yet. According to the legend, the earth will be reborn and become a peaceful place. Have a happy Ragnarok.

Viking warriors arrive in York for the start of the 30th JORVIK Viking Festival, and to find out if the prediction of Ragnarok, the Norse Apocalyse, will indeed come true Feb. 22, 2014. Courtesy Jorvick Viking Centre